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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dogue De Bordeaux

30 replies

Lordette · 14/04/2024 11:20

I’m considering getting a Dogue de Bordeaux. I’m experienced with dogs - I have three children and one other dog.

People I know who’ve owned one have said they are the most docile, loveliest dogs. I’m a bit apprehensive about the size… Obviously I would start training classes from day one.

I’d be interested to hear other people’s experiences of the breed.

OP posts:
Cadela · 14/04/2024 11:26

My uncle had one and it was gorgeous, very soft and lovely.

Then one day it was laying on its bed, my grandma was sitting on the sofa across the other side of the room and it’s just went for her, no prior warning. Literally asleep to attacking in seconds. My uncle had to have reconstructive surgery to his hand the damage was so bad.

So in my experience I’d never, ever get one.

Duckingella · 14/04/2024 11:31

We had one;his name was Mac and he was the sweetest,gentlest giant lump I've ever met;we miss him greatly as one of the pitfalls of the breed is the short lifespan.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another in the future;he was amazing with the kids,adored our other dog and our cats;he would cuddle with one of the cats as he was his favourite.

He got on well with other dogs in general and was very obedient.

Everyone we met loved him and he loved his seaside holidays with us.

Our experience with our DDB was a very positive one.

rockingbird · 14/04/2024 11:33

A good friend of mine has one, he's a complete soppy mess and everyone loves him. He's huge, looks scary but is absolutely adorable.

Alloveragain3 · 14/04/2024 11:35

Playing Devil's advocate here.
They slobber a lot and smell quite strong/yeasty.
Also prone to lots of medical issues including bloat, hip dysplasia and allergies so of you do go for it, get insurance from the get go.

Therunecaster · 14/04/2024 11:35

Really soft one in our village just turned one day and broke the owners arm.

Houseinawood · 14/04/2024 11:35

A friend had one - highly experienced dog owner. Lots of exercise, socialising etc She had a child aged about 5 and the dog was lovely and docile and kind - child and dog loved each other. . One day they were all lying outside in the back garden and the dog was in the shade and she just got up and went for them - major injuries and my friend survived by climbing the fence and throwing her son over - absolutely nothing to suggest she was anything but lovely had her from a tiny pup. my friend had her put down immediately and had been too terrified to own another dog.

Original poster
Lordette · 14/04/2024 12:19

Oh god, lots of horror stories!

OP posts:
Fiddlerdragon · 14/04/2024 12:26

Generally sweet dogs, but incredibly unhealthy. There’s ALWAYS something wrong with them. And that’s interesting about the unprovoked attacks. My friend had one for about 5 years with no issues, she called it her baby. Until one day in the garden it decided to attack her actual baby

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/04/2024 14:45

I wonder how many of these "unprovoked attacks" happened because the dog was in pain and the owners didn't realise.

Fullfatcokealltheway · 14/04/2024 14:49

We had one that, that had been thrown out the back of a van when 6 months old best dog we had until he turned 6 and went really possessive when anyone entered the house. Unless you lived there we couldn't have anyone in the house! Although he wasn't aggressive on walks and soft as shit with the family! Ohhhh and slobber in your dinner and cups of teas are also compulsory when they shake their heads 🤮 lol

Prawncow · 14/04/2024 14:51

Why would you choose that breed?

Thetpi · 14/04/2024 14:53

Neighbour has had a few over the years and I’ve dog sat/walked them a lot. To echo what others say they seem to be quite an unhealthy breed, lots of skin issues, hip issues but they are very lovely. Lead training is a must, the pull on them is incredibly and I’ve been dragged to the ground more than once by hers and knocked over when jumped on. They also have quite a short life compared to other dogs.

MiddleagedBeachbum · 14/04/2024 14:54

How unusual for so many posts to share about unprovoked and out of character attacks!

Fiddlerdragon · 14/04/2024 15:20

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/04/2024 14:45

I wonder how many of these "unprovoked attacks" happened because the dog was in pain and the owners didn't realise.

I guess it’s possible that all of these could be pain related or owner error. I do know Japanese akitas are prone to this though. I read a study that was done on them after multiple military and service akitas attacked their handlers for no reason. They did find some genetic fault in their brains. I’ve never met a nice akita, and despite owning two large breeds myself, I’ll cross the kids across the road if I see one heading towards us. It’s strange how most of these Bordeaux stories are ‘he was perfectly lovely, until he wasn’t’

Toooldtoworry · 14/04/2024 15:30

My friend is a dog trainer. Has had multiple DDBs and English Mastiffs. All very soft natures dogs. All have short lives and multiple health issues. Also slobber that reaches the ceiling when head shaking.

zippingalongslowly · 14/04/2024 15:37

I used to meet one a lot on dog walks. He was friendly with humans and dogs but the owner had had a lot of issues with dogs attacking his dog - the size seemed to make some dogs scared and aggressive. Also, he was very drooly and did huge poos.
Although the one I met was nice, doesn't seem like a sensible choice with children and another dog.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 14/04/2024 15:43

Evolved for hunting and as a guard dog.

not as a suburban pet.

muddyford · 14/04/2024 15:54

Our previous vet had several, but he had a large house and land in the country. He said the drool was unbelievable.

Maneandfeathers · 14/04/2024 17:27

My friend had 2 but both dropped dead before 5. They also smelt very bad!

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 14/04/2024 17:52

My friend had one. Despite his size, he thought he was a lap dog. Seriously, so affectionate and loving. As long as you are able and willing to commit to the massive amount of exercise they need (or have huge tracts of land), go for it! Gorgeous creatures!!

Devilshands · 15/04/2024 11:23

No one needs a 'guardian' or mastiff breed dog - not unless you live on a farm in the middle of the Turkish/Caucasus mountains and need one to defend a flock of sheep from wolves etc.

These breeds can be prone to violence if they do not do what they were bred to do - guard. All you need to do is google the breed and you'll see they need to be supervised with children (all dogs do, but when it says that what it means if 'they are not good with children), and other dogs.

'They can be a little difficult to handle at times so some experience with the breed would be a real advantage before getting one.' Code for: if you don't know what you are doing, you're fucked (from the PDSA website).

On top of that, DDBs live about 5-6 years, drool like pigs, can't breath properly because of the inbreeding, have a variety of health conditions including heart conditions and weigh 45KG.

Why would you even consider getting one if you have children? If a dog that big snaps you're not stopping it.

Original poster
Lordette · 15/04/2024 22:58

Thanks for all the input. I’ve trawled through years of previous DDB posts and haven’t found anything quite as scary as this one, so a real eye opener…

OP posts:
ChubbyMorticia · 15/04/2024 23:06

I’ve owned two. My heart dog we lost to hip dysplasia just after her 3rd birthday.

My husband’s heart dog we lost last summer due to leukaemia. He was five.

Adore them completely. But I don’t know if I can handle the heartbreak of losing another.

villainousbroodmare · 15/04/2024 23:15

I have a friend who had one. She was a bitch about 2yo, huge powerful dog but seemed very relaxed and easygoing. One day I was sitting in her kitchen. The dog flopped down under the table and seemed to want me to rub her belly, which I did with my foot (no shoes, gentle pressure obv). After about ten minutes of chatting and idle foot rubs, I felt the dog stiffen and heard a horrifying deep snarl. She lunged at me and I had to hold her off with a kitchen chair while backing out of the house. If I hadn't been alert I think she would have severely injured me. Friend had zero control and was apologetic but not as surprised as one would have thought. It's a massive no from me.

AllICanDoIsTry · 15/04/2024 23:50

From a decent experienced breeder, theyre wonderful dogs. Family member has had multiples of them for many years.

I find males a lot more soppy and easy going and if i was to have one, id choose a male myself.

They do have a 'musk' about them, they do slobber and the breed does have some health issues but no more than any other.

They are funny clowns, and can make wonderful pets. Just do your research.

Out of all the DDB's and differnt breeds weve had....only dog that ever bit one anyone was the tiny toy poodle